pH problems -aaaaaaarrrrrggghhh!!!!

Okeedokee... I am not even close to a reef virgin having kept a reef for 1.5+ years. Nor am I an expert by any means. Not even close.

I do TONS of reseach, reading, self educations etc. but in this case, I am at a loss.

For the longest time, my pH has been stable between 8.1 and 8.3. I was using diy dosing pumps for alk and Ca (several small doses throughout the day for both) and manually dosing Mag once per week. All was well. The sun was shining, birds were chirping, corals were growing, etc. etc.

Then about 2 months ago, using the exact same methodology, my pH dropped to the 7.7-7.9 range, my alk shot up to 18+ and my calcium rose from the 400-420 range to the 480-500 range. All the while, my Mag has been between 1400 and 1500. nothing else changed. NOTHING.

pH tests were done both chemically and with a pH testing pen (and yes... I checked the calibration).

Needless to say that I have been struggling since then. I've tried using the dosing pumps with different doses, I've tried shutting off the dosing pumps and doing it manually. I've tried changing test kits (in case I had one or more bad/old kits). Hell, I even tried standing on my head and hopping on one foot.

I've gotten the alk under control for the most part (10-12 with the occasional spike to 14), the calcium under control (420-440), the Mag is still where it was before, between 1400-1500 - BUT - the pH continues to be a problem for me.

H E L P !!!!

Even if I dump in more alk (baked, baking soda solution), the pH does not rise. Not even if I go hog wild. The pH stays the same (the alk shoots through the roof using this method - but pH hardly budges.).

The only thing I can think of is fresh air - as in air with more oxygen and less CO2 in it... I have tried opening windows (when it's not flaming hot outside) and there has been an improvement. pH rising from the 7.7 - 7.9 range to the 7.9 - 8.1 range - but I cannot seem to re-attain my previous pH levels or stability. As soon as I close the windows - down she goes again.

Anyway - I seem to be rambling, perhaps venting a bit.

Has anyone else experiences this? Solutions???!?! Please?!

Is there a way to add more oxygen thereby displacing the CO2? Some sort of oxygen generator (perhaps ozone???) connected to my skimmer maybe??

Z

 

I have a Dolphin 4 port pump outside that feeds 4 stones in my tank. It helps some but not anything like fresh outside air. Your house is too air tight. You could look into one of these: Fantech: Heat & Energy Recovery Ventilators

 

I was thinking along the same lines.

 

First of all I don't think your PH is THAT bad. There are a number of great reefs run in that range (7.7 may be a tad low but not horrific). So don't freak out too much.

Unless you're going through a mini cycle for some reason AFAIK high CO2 levels from poor ventilation or low alkalinity are the major causes of low PH. Well, a calcium reactor can do it too but you said you're dosing so that's out.

Have you changed any major appliances or done any major work on the house around the time you started noticing the change?

Also, try the aeration test outlined in this article and see if your PH goes up.
Low pH: Causes and Cures by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

 

K+

Great article. Very helpful!



Z

 

How is your skimmer running? Skimmers produce the most dissolved useable oxygen in a marine tank.